Secrets

Carson and I had a funny conversation last night, that had me giggling for several hours:

Me: Carson, we really need to think of a good present to give Grandma for her birthday.
Carson: Ok. Nana already got her something.
Me: Really? Well, what did she get her?
Carson: Some things.
Me: What kind of things?
Carson: I don't really know. I'm not a good secret keeper, so nobody will tell me.

Subconcious Favortism?

This last Saturday Ben and I took the kids to Toys-R-Us to let them pick out a toy and spend their "toy money" Christmas gift certificates. Carson was very methodical in his search criteria, ensuring we went up and down every single isle in a very direct pattern so he would be able to look at all his options and choose correctly. McKinley was just pleased as punch to be out of the house, and didn't seem too eager for anything but the dress-up clothes. By the time our tour of the toy store was complete, Carson had picked out a "loopy-loop" Geo Trax airplane set and McKinley decided on a purse and accessories set. I was pleased that McKinley had picked out something so inexpensive - but Ben insisted on making it "fair" and also encouraged her to get a Little People house.

When we got home, we immediately put together Carson's track, but didn't really think about McKinley's toys at the time. We finally got around to opening up her toys and setting up the house on Sunday. She played with her toys every waking moment on Sunday, and has continued playing with them since. Ben and I were both pleased at how much McKinley was enjoying her toys, when we both suddenly realized that McKinley doesn't really get that many new toys to play with. What kind of parent am I to only get one child a toy, and when I do get them both one, only set one of them up? Grrr...and here I thought I was treating each kid as fairly as possible. Luckily, I have come to this realization early enough to change my ways, but I'm sure she will be quick to remind me of any unfair treatment she notes when she's older, further pouring salt into my wounds. Oh well, I guess I deserve it.

Brainwashed

Ok, so I apparently need to apologize to the blogging world out there for not posting anything for the past few weeks. I've been a little crazy at work, and truthfully, I did just start reading a series of books for the fifth time this week- and despite my over-familiarity with them, I can't seem to put them down.  Despite my lame excuses, I did have a funny event happen today that I knew I had to share:

As many of you may know, Carson has been a little slow to develop his speech, much to the dismay of his so-called "speech-language pathologist" mother.  I started getting a little concerned that McKinley was going to follow suit, when at her 18 month check-up, I could barely count on 2 hands how many words she had.  My pediatrician was overly encouraging, but the pessimist that I must be, was sure she would end up being a mute, or be completely unintelligible to everyone but her mom.  Over the past month, however, McKinley must have sensed my angst and began saying so many words that I started losing track.  It was fabulous.  Every day there seemed to be a new word that she would know and say, and seemed even more responsive with a round of applause from her parents and brother.  Tonight, she totally caught me off guard when she picked up a football that had the University of Utah emblem printed on it, and proudly exclaimed, "Go Utah!" while raising her fist in the air.  Now, don't get me wrong, I am totally thrilled that she is using so many words, but a part of me is now thoroughly convinced that my husband is incorporating some highly-skilled brainwashing techniques on our children.  Is it really possible for my kids to be any more aware or supportive of the Utes than they already are?  I guess I shouldn't voice my concern out loud - because I'm sure Ben already has a series of new strategies in place to turn our kids into bigger Utah fans than he is.